Home Security Surveys

Exterior Doors
Many residential doors feature hollow-core
construction and poor locks. They are easily forced or kicked open. If
you desire additional protection, you need solid doors and quality
locks.

Sliding Glass DoorsMany burglars enter homes
through poorly protected glass doors. Additional locks and security
measures here will prevent the door from being opened or lifted out of
the track.

Screws installed in the track above the sliding door frame will
prevent the door from being lifted out of the track. Drill a pilot hole
in the top track above, and slightly in, from each corner of the sliding
door frame section and install a screw into each hole. Adjust the
screws so that the head of the screw just barely clears the frame when
it is moved back and forth.

Double DoorsThese doors need solid security as
they are easily jimmied or forced open. Flush lever bolts installed at
the top and bottom of the doors are recommended. Make sure the bolt is
long, sturdy and mounted into a solid door frame.

Doors With WindowsDoors with glass windows or
glass ornamentation require double key deadbolt locks. This prevents the
burglar from breaking the glass and reaching inside to unlock the door.
The key to a double key deadbolt lock should be left in the lock at all
times when someone is home (this is necessary to ensure easy exit in
the event of a fire or other emergency).

Garage DoorsStandard locks on garage doors are
easily pried, allowing a burglar access to your home without detection.
Cane bolts and hasps are excellent protection. Make certain each side of
the garage door is secured to prevent prying open a crawl space. The
door leading from the garage into the house should be securely locked.
The more barriers you provide against the burglar, the better protected
you are.

HingesMany homes have doors which open to the
outside, exposing the hinge pins. Despite your good strong lock, the
burglar can remove the pins and lift the door from the frame. To prevent
this, remove two opposing screws from each leaf of the hinge. Screw a
long lag bolt into the frame side of the hinge leaf and saw off the head
leaving about 1/2 inch protruding. Drill out the opposite hole to allow
the bolt to enter when the door is closed. Do this to the top and
bottom hinge plates. The hinge pins can now be removed by the burglar
but the door will remain firmly in place. This technique is good for any
door, no matter how the hinges have been placed.

Door ViewersIn order to avoid opening your door
without knowing who is there, install a door viewer. This device has a
wide angle lens to let you see someone standing outside your door
without opening it.

Spring LatchSome homes come equipped with this
lock. It offers very little protection. The bolt can be slipped with a
credit card or knife. The same lock, with a deadbolt latch, provides
more protection, but it too can be forced open.

Deadbolt LocksA deadbolt lock can provide good
protection. When you turn the key, the lock mechanism slides a strong
metal bolt from the door into the frame.

When you buy a deadbolt lock, make sure:

The bolt extends at least one inch from the edge of the door.

The connecting screws that hold the lock together are on the inside of the door.

The strike plate is attached to the door frame with screws that measure at least three inches in length.

The cylinder has a steel guard around the key section.

The cylinder guard should be tapered or rotate freely around the key section to prevent wrenching if it is twisted.

Single Cylinder Deadbolt
A solid bolt, activated by a key from the
outside or a knob on the inside, slides into the door frame. The lock
cannot be slipped or easily pried. Deadbolt locks are only as good as
the door and frame they are installed in.

Double Cylinder DeadboltThis lock is basically the
same as the single cylinder deadbolt, except that it requires a key to
be used from either side to function.

Rim Lock
This lock has either horizontal or vertical dead bolts. It
cannot be easily slipped, pried or forced with a wrench. This lock, like
all others, requires a strong mounting surface and hardware to be
effective.

PadlocksWhen selecting padlocks to secure your
garage door, storage shed, fence gate or tool box, do not economize. Low
priced locks are made from low quality materials and easily pried open
or cut with bolt cutters. Look for these features when purchasing a
padlock:

Sliding WindowsSliding glass windows should be
given the same security treatment as sliding glass doors. Use the same
supplementary locks or screws in the frame. Screws installed in the
track above the sliding window frame will prevent the window from being
lifted out of the track. Drill a pilot hole in the top track above each
corner of the window frame and install a screw into each hole. Adjust
the screws so that the head of the screw just barely clears the frame
when it is moved back and forth.

Casement – Crank WindowsThese windows are easily
secured. The latch should close properly with the window tight. With the
latch in a closed position, drill a small hole through the latch frame
and handle. Insert a metal pin through the hole to lock the window. For
additional security, a small padlock can be used in place of the pin.
Key operated replacement latches are also available from a locksmith or
hardware store. Keep the key handy in case of emergency.

Double Hung WindowsAn easy, inexpensive way to
secure your windows is to use the “pin” trick. Drill an angled hole
through the top frame of the lower window partially into the frame of
the upper window. Then insert the pin (a nail or an eyebolt which is
slightly smaller in diameter than the hole). The window can’t be opened
until you remove the pin. Make a second set of holes with windows
partially open so you can have ventilation without inviting intruders.